Thus, CNN New Reader Anderson Cooper describes the situation in Egypt.
This is treating Egypt like it was a client of the United States rather than a sovereign nation.
Don't get me wrong. I think the Egyptian Government is corrupt, dictatorial and should go. On the other, I fear what come after Mubarak. As France's Louis XV said, "Après moi, le déluge" (After me the deluge).
But, "Clearly on notice" suggests a relationship that does not exist and should not exist. We give Egypt Billions, but we do it to maintain peace in the Near East. Egypt is not our "client".
My question is, was this just Mr Cooper or was this the Administration? If Mr Cooper, shame on him and CNN, if the Administration, shame on us.
Regards — Cliff
Cliff:
ReplyDeleteWe should offer aid to countries that promote democracy. It appears that this corrupt and dictatorial regime can only keep peace at the end of a gun, with gas canisters, water canons, shutting down the internet, etc...
I do agree with you that part of the problem is that the U.S. media as well as some elements in the State Department see Egypt and other countries as clients rather than partners.
So between what is happening in Egypt, and what has occurred in Lebanon and Tunisia in the past few weeks, things are pretty foggy at Foggy Bottom. :-)
Would that our actions be so noble. Alas, our primary reason for maintaining a nice relationship with Egypt is, even if most of DC is painfully ignorant of it, simply a matter of the Suez Canal. Geopolitics reigns supreme.
ReplyDeleteEmpires have, for time immemorial, tried to "democratize" the near and middle east....and it has consistently remained the graveyard of empires, if not civilizations.